this presence of minors hunt remains a controversial issue. Random shots result in injury or even death to those involved in these activities more often than would be desirable. Environmental and social organizations demand that at least the presence of children be prevented, as children are the most exposed to such accidents. A campaign has been launched to put an end to this situation in the Community of Valencia, one of the autonomous regions where minors are allowed to hunt.
Franz Weber Foundation, multiple 77,000 citizen signatures on the platform change.org demanding a Valencian Community “free of child predators”. As this organization remembers, regional regulations allow companion hunting from all ages and carrying weapons from the age of 14. But according to Civil Guard statistics, at least 21 children were injured or killed across Spain in raids from 2007-2020.
In recent years, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has warned of exposure to violence and recommended the intervention of public forces to avoid dangerous contexts.
For this naturalist NGO, The death of a four-year-old while hunting, as in Andalusia in 2019, is an example of the dire consequences of exposure to violence.
According to him, the only way to avoid this risk is to Prohibiting the participation of any minor, with or without a gunpoints to the shared responsibility of central government, autonomous communities and families in a legislative reform.
With thousands of signatures collected, the foundation “calls for urgent regulatory changes to prevent another minor being injured as a result of the interests of parents, siblings or grandparents to support a so-called generational change in hunting over the integrity of the hunt.” children”.
banning alcohol
Moreover, demands greater risk aversion by banning alcohol during huntsbecause it denounced that “public administrations deliberately ignore the consumption of booze that occurs in these contexts where the only acceptable rate when carrying a gun should be zero”.
In this context, he uses a recent report from the French Senate, whose main recommendation is to ban this consumption by hunters, warning of the number of victims and injuries caused by activity in the neighboring country.
The organization argues that “hunting in these conditions poses a danger to Nature, biodiversity, and everyone involved in or unrelated to the hunt,” citing as examples: casualties caused by riflemen who claimed they were “confused” while firing.
And, as shown, the risks increase exponentially if a person, while intoxicated or drugged, fails to recognize a boar, roe deer or fox as supposedly capable of sufficient willpower.
Questions and answers about minors and hunting in Spain
According to the information compiled by Efe, the situations in which minors can or may participate in hunting activities are as follows:
- Can a minor go hunting?
Yes in Spain whenever you do accompanied by an adult and has the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
- Are they allowed to actively participate in the hunt?
It depends on the age of the minors and the autonomous community they are in. In general, current regulations Children under 14 years old hunt, however, he can accompany the hunter to his mission to continue the activity from there. In Andalusia, if the child has not passed the age of 14, it remains the responsibility of the hunter accompanying him.
From the age of 14 and depending on the autonomous community, the child Use shotgun and rifle.
- Do you need any special authorization?
To use these weapons Special mandate of the Civil Guard, have a relevant hunting license and otherwise go with an adult and have the express consent of their parents or legal representatives.
- What sanctions are applied to minors and those who do not comply with hunting issues?
Each autonomous legislature includes its own sanction regime, which usually falls to the competent authorities. the minor’s parental authority holders. In the case of Andalusia, the most serious violations of its laws amount to about 60,000 euros and in Aragon 30,000 euros. A common thing in regulations is the inclusion of secondary sanctions such as suspension, disqualification or withdrawal of licenses and weapons.
- How often do such events occur?
Two young children die in Monterías Spanish for the last ten years, so the Federation considers these to be “totally isolated” and exceptional cases. In addition, they add that it is not uncommon for other kinds of minor incidents to occur with minors.
- Is it necessary to change the legislation?
According to the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation, this is not necessary given the low incidence and advocates it. Children’s participation is positive, because it is the way to “learn and acquire” the knowledge necessary for them to hunt in the future “with the greatest possible guarantee and safety”.
- What do environmentalists think?
Efe is secured by the hunting officer. Ecologists at Work, Miguel Ángel Hernández, presence of minors in hunts “very serious accident risk” because current law “leaves such responsibility to the discretion of the family member or guardian.” Although this presence is always on the side of those responsible, as well as the possibility that minors between the ages of 14-18 have a hunting license and thus use a gun, “very accommodating situations”, It can lead to situations like the Guillena incident.
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